Two dogs killed while serving Australia in Afghanistan will be honoured at a special memorial to be set up in Sydney.

Merlin, a four-year-old blue heeler cross that served as an army explosive detection dog, was run over and killed by an Australian Light Armoured Vehicle (ASLAV) while resting in the vehicle’s shade last month.

Last week, Razz, a black Labrador, was killed by a roadside bomb, which exploded during a patrol in the Oruzgan Province.

Both dogs had significant experience in the field and had performed numerous actions which saved lives.

“In this case the dogs have paid the ultimate sacrifice to the safety of Australian soldiers on operations,” Major General Ash Power said in a statement.

A memorial at the School of Military Engineering in Sydney, where the dogs were trained, will be expanded to pay tribute to the dogs.